Fishing Report

Brrrr, well looks like we are going to jump right into cold weather and skip fall all together. The boats that are getting out these days are doing well on sea bass and catching some migrating flounder. The sea bass action is very productive when the weather and wind permit boats to get to the deeper wrecks and reef sites. Del-Jersey, site 11, and wrecks in 100-120ft of water are being most productive. Clam, squid and even sand fleas seem to be the baits of choice right now.

Over the last week or so, some of the local charter boats and head boats have been heading to the deeper waters in search of Tautog, but the fish haven't begun to show up in numbers yet, possibly due to the water temps still being very warm. Some keeper tog have been caught but mostly anglers have been weeding through the shorts to get a keeper. Hopefully now that we have had some very cold nights, the fish will begin to come out and start to fill their bellies.

The outer wall has had a lot of anglers start to fish for the tog there, but the reports haven't been good as far keepers to shorts. Anglers are reporting catches of 30-40 tog with maybe 1 keeper out of the lot. This cold weather should jump start the bigger fish into eating.

The pier out at Cape Henlopen state park is still giving up some snapper blues, and the occasional keeper flounder. The spot seems to have disappeared, but some triggers and sheepshead have been caught around the pilings on sand fleas, and Asian box crabs. The small stripers are still keeping it fun at the pier as well. I am still very optimistic that this could be the turn-around year for a very productive striper season. The bait fish are still loaded up all over the area. This is one key component to the big linesiders taking that left-hand turn to the bay or even off the beaches here in Delaware. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that we will have a great striper season this year.

Until next week, stay warm and tightlines everyone, Tommy Serbin.

This past week the weather gave anglers a couple days to get out and get some fishing in at the wreck and reef sites. The flounder are still being picked over here and there but they seem to be making their way to deeper water. The sea bass action is still very good, and boats are having great days getting their boat limits. Some Tautog are now being caught on the wrecks and reef sites, but very few keepers. Reports from the captains are that there are a lot of shorts, but the keepers being caught are of good keeper size. As the water gets cooler the bites will get better.

The surf action is getting a little better with some snapper blue fish hanging around the point at Cape Henlopen state park. The pier fishing is still producing some spot, snapper blues and even the occasional keeper flounder. Some anglers have caught small stripers on blood worms or fresh mullet chunks. This weather change cooling the water down should bring the bigger blue fish and hopefully the big stripers.

We have had a leader board change for our Annual Tautog tournament, Joe Mcneal has taken the #1 spot as of yesterday with a very nice 4.95 lb. tog that he caught aboard the Katydid. That drops Fred Robinson to the #2 spot with his 4.87 lb. tog, and Daryl Mergonthaller brings up the #3 spot with his 4.47 lb. tog also caught aboard the Katydid. Anglers, remember or tog tournament is going on right now. Stop by and get in the tournament, you can pay by the day or pay for the month. The cost is $5 per day per angler, or $30 per angler for the rest of the month.

Tightlines Everyone, Tommy Serbin.

The temperatures have cooled down a bit, and the fishing seems to be getting better with each day. The Delaware bay is showing some small signs of life with catches of citation sheepshead, triggers and black drum being caught on sand fleas and clam. Small bluefish are still plentiful in the bay as well. Some keeper sea trout have been caught up in the bay as well.

The surf fishing is beginning to get a little better with snapper blues, kingfish, some pompano and some decent size stripers. The mullet are still hanging out and keeping the fish biting. Hopefully, this cool spell will cool the waters enough togged the menhaden migration moving and then the big stripers to follow. And with some extra luck we can get the big bluefish to come in as well. We are very optimistic about the fall fishing season this year.

Boats traveling out to do some inshore runs have had very good luck finding the black sea bass, flounder and even mahi-mahi still, even after the storm. The sea bass and flounder fishing seems to be steady and on the rise. We have seen some very nice founder and sea bass brought to the table from the local chartered head boats.

Tautog season is open, and has been since July 1st of this year.Though the waters were and still are a little warm to catch the big ones, I’m sure if you put the time in, you could catch some keeper tog. LHM sponsors a Tautog tournament annually, it is now going on. The fees are, $5 per day per angler, or $30 for the entire month. All fees are cash only, and you can register every day at the shop.

We have fresh mullet and sand fleas being delivered fresh every morning. We also have green crabs, asian box crabs, and fresh clams. Not to mention a full line of bait for whatever fishing you are planning on doing. Stop in and see us for all your fishing and boating needs. Stay tuned for info on LHM’s annual striper tournament coming in November.

Until next week everyone, Tightlines, Tommy Serbin.